book stores

So, as some of you may know, I recently started a very small book press, which is called Gray Sky Micro Press, here in San Francisco. We released our first book this month, Valencia Street, which is a collection of short stories written by me, under my pen name. About four to six authors, including potentially one who is a fine member of our forum, will be having novels published by Gray Sky in 2012. I am looking to stock them in independent book stores. I have two stores and one in LA so far that are, or will shortly be, stocking Gray Sky books. I am hoping to get them into four or five more stores in January. I'm planning on targeting big cities, but also will talk to smaller cities too if there is a good indie book store.

Short story now long, if anyone has a favorite independent book store, please post its name and location, as I would like to be able to target book shops that have good reputations, and I tend to trust MGs fans in all things word related.

Thanks!

The first thing that distinguishes a writer is that he is most alive when alone. - Martin Amis

I kind of feel like a jerk now realizing that I only buy books from Amazon or Barnes and Nobel. When we're in NYC I go to Housing Works but that's a charity run thing so I don't think they'd be what you're looking for.

lol
and wc that is freaking awesome. I can't wait for the day that i have the extra energy and money to do something like this. all luck and whatever good that one can wish to someone I wish to you in this endeavor. kinda gives me hope that i might eventually open up that record store i've been dreaming about for years. btw do you have a website set up yet? i want to read your book, but san francisco is a long drive, and an even longer walk.

QuoteSethie
E-books killed all of the bookstores in my area. The closest one to me is a barnes and noble, and it's about 40 miles away.

I fucking hate e-books.

that sucks. i've decided not to publish any Gray Sky books as e-books, even though its easy enough to do. the whole concept is to embrace the physical relationship between a reader and a book. when people say e-books are the same as books, to me its like saying digitial is the same as vinyl. it is, and it it isn't, and i believe there will always be a fairly sizable niche of people who believe this, and small bookstore and recordstores will continue to cater to that niche of people. the days of barnes and noble and borders are over, and i weep no tears for those impersonal monstrosities, but smaller bookstores will find a way to continue.

and shopping at amazon is like shopping at wal-mart. do you really want to be a wal-mart shopper? amazon kills souls.

The first thing that distinguishes a writer is that he is most alive when alone. - Martin Amis

you can buy copies of Gray Skey books at its own small website, grayskypress.com. there's just one for sale now, just a few copies left, but more authors will be comign soone. i may capitulate to amazon at some point, but not yet.

The first thing that distinguishes a writer is that he is most alive when alone. - Martin Amis

Brookline Booksmith in Brookline, MA (in an area known as Coolidge Corner) tends to have a great eclectic mix of more known materials and more indie stuff. They also have some good pull for a non-chain store (they've had many readings including one by John Hodgman!)

This is awesome and I love www.htmlgiant.com. I have, unfortunately, learned a lot of these points through personal experience. Fucking shipping. Especially international. Fuck. Also, all of these pointst are true. Except 17. I hate e-books and if I have to make e-books, I will not be a micro-press. It defeats the whole purpose of being a micro-press.

By the way, everyone go to grayskypress.com and buy P. William Grimm's new collection of short stories, Valencia Street. Which is also available at Dog-Eared Books and Alexander Books in San Francisco, and Book Soup in Los Angeles. Soon to be in New York and Seattle bookstores.

New books by new authors coming in the 1st half of 2012. Support independent literature!

self-plug over.

edits to edit!

The first thing that distinguishes a writer is that he is most alive when alone. - Martin Amis